Day 8/12

It is the eighth day of the 12 Days of Dreaming.

In Norse traditions, today is when the Hunt is honored, along with the gods of the hunt: Skadi, the fierce goddess of winter and the hunt, and Ullr, the god of archery, skiing, and survival. Hunting was a vital necessity, providing food for the table, but life was not solely about survival. The Norse found joy in rowing races, storytelling, weaving, sewing, and more. They also used primitive skis to get around the winter landscape,.

Today, we turn our attention to Truth—the virtue of honesty, integrity, and the courage to seek and speak what is real. Truth invites us to align our actions with our words and remain authentic, even when vulnerability and challenge arise.

In Norse cosmology, truth and integrity were fundamental virtues. Oaths, promises, and one’s word carried immense weight; to break them was to tarnish one’s honor. This day encourages you to recommit to living with integrity, ensuring that your words and actions are in harmony with your values.

The eighth day of Yule is a time for aligning with your inner truth, honoring the natural cycles of life, and setting a clear course for future growth—all while staying grounded in your authentic self.

It is also a day to think ahead to August, the month of the Harvest. This period symbolizes future abundance and reminds us of the rewards of diligence and preparation. By living truthfully today, you plant the seeds for tomorrow. For August I drew the Eight of Swords.

Eight of Swords: Mental Interference

The virtue of truth aligns with the Eight of Swords card, which serves as a reminder that we can often become trapped by our own minds. 

Eight of Swords depicts a woman bound, blindfolded, and surrounded by swords. Her constraints are significant—not imposed by others, but self-inflicted. If she were to remove her blindfold, she would see that the swords represent her own limiting beliefs and restrictive mindset.

This card symbolizes the mental spiral of overthinking and overanalyzing that leaves us feeling stuck, trapped, or powerless. It reflects the sense of being constrained by circumstances, yet reminds us that escape is possible. The way forward requires shifting your perspective and releasing a victim mentality along with thought patterns that no longer serve you.

The Eight of Swords calls you to let go of doubt, mistrust, overthinking, and negativity. It’s a reminder that clarity comes when you step out of the spiral of analysis and interference.

When this card appears, it suggests waiting for more clarity before acting. Actions taken from a space of self-doubt or a desire to control outcomes often create more entanglement. Trust the process and allow time for a clearer path to emerge.

Above all, release the tendency to overanalyze and create doubt. Free yourself from mental interference, and step into a more empowered mental space by taking back your power. You already have the resources you need, but it’s up to you to use those resources in a way that serves you. Often, this requires you to get out of your head and trust your intuition.

Of all the cards I’ve drawn so far during the 12 Days of Dreaming, this one speaks to me in a way that directs me inward with a powerful clarity. I’m deeply aware of how easily I can get trapped in the spiral of overthinking and self-doubt, often rushing to act in an attempt to control the outcome and protect myself. What I’ve learned, though, is that it’s in these moments of mental clutter when I’m most vulnerable to staying stuck.

The connection between Truth and the Eight of Swords is clear: when I become a prisoner of my own thoughts, I dishonor my truth. Just as the Norse revered the power of keeping their word, I must honor my own truth by refusing to let mental interference keep me from moving forward.

What a powerful call I feel to break this pattern and step out of this cycle.

Affirmation:

“I release the thoughts and beliefs that no longer serve me. I have the power to free myself from doubt and overthinking, and I trust my intuition to guide me toward clarity and empowerment.””

Always,
Your Trusted Friend ✨